Soil erosion modelling in a Hungarian Mexican context

Transcription

1 A Magyar Állami Földtani Intézet Évi Jelentése, Soil erosion modelling in a Hungarian Mexican context Talajerózió modellezése hazai és mexikói területeken CSABA CENTERI 1, GILBERTO HERNÁNDEZ SILVA 2, GERGELY JAKAB 3, GÉZA GELENCSÉR 1,4 1 Szent István University, Gödöllő, Inst. of Environmental and Landscape Management, Dept. of Nature Conservation and Landscape Ecology, 2103 Gödöllő, Páter K. utca 1., Hungary 2 Centro de Geociencias, Campus UNAM-Juriquilla, Qro. Mexico 3 Geographical Research Institute, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Hungary 4 Vox Vallis Development Association, Hungary Centeri.Csaba@kti.szie.hu Keywords: soil loss, soil erosion, soil erosion modelling, WEPP, USLE Abstract Soil water erosion is a well known phenomenon. We know enough to protect our valuable soils against many forms of soil degradation but there is always new ways of searching for more exact descriptions of processes causing soil and nutrient losses. In the present paper authors have chosen Hungarian and Mexican research sites to investigate the results of using the WEPP and the USLE models for soil loss calculations. In international literature, USLE is widely cited as a model overestimating soil loss. In the examined Hungarian and Mexican slopes we can state that each model performed with various results. There were cases where WEPP calculated no soil loss where USLE did but there were cases where WEPP calculated more soil loss than USLE. The importance of such soil loss modelling is that each model running has something to explain, teaching us how to improve our models. On the other hand, using more than one model highlight the importance of the lack of information for model inputs. These modelling can improve our knowledge on soil loss calculation and thus the used models, too. Kulcsszavak: talajveszteség, talajerózió, talajerózió modellezés, WEPP, USLE Kivonat A talajerózió jól ismert jelenség. Eleget tudunk róla, hogy megvédjük értékes talajainkat a talajdegradáció sokféle formájától, de mindig van olyan új kutatási terület, amely segít a talaj és tápanyagveszteség folyamatainak pontosabb leírásában. A jelenlegi munkában a szerzők hazai és mexikói mintaterületeken értékelik a WEPP és az USLE modell használatának eredményeit. A nemzetközi szakirodalomban az USLE modellt gyakran vádolják a talajveszteség túlbecslésével, ugyanakkor a vizsgált magyar és mexikói területeken azt állapítottuk meg, hogy a modellek különböző eredményekkel szolgáltak. Volt olyan eset, amikor a WEPP modell nem számolt talajveszteséggel, míg az USLE igen, de volt olyan eset is, amikor a WEPP több veszteséggel kalkulált, mint az USLE. Az ilyen modellezések fontossága abban rejlik, hogy minden modellfuttatás megmagyaráz valamit, segít bennünket a modellek fejlesztésében, javításában. Másrészről több modellel történő elemzés felhívja a figyelmet a modellek bemeneti paramétereinek adathiányára is. Ezek a modellezések javítják ismereteinket a talajveszteség számításának és a modellek használatának területén is. Introduction Empirical soil erosion models continue to play an important role in soil conservation planning and environmental evaluations around the world (LIU et al. 2000). Soil erosion is a serious problem on agricultural fields of Hungary and Mexico, too. In the hilly areas precipitation is between 600 and 800mm/year. Even the relatively low intensity rainfalls are causing gullying and rills. The crop rotation structure does not favour soil protection, contains a high percentage of medium or low soil protection crop (CENTERI 2002, SZILASSI et al. 2006). Soil and nutrient loss, runoff and sediment yield calculations (JAKAB, SZALAI 2005), model comparisons (CENTERI et al.

2 132 CSABA CENTERI et al. 2009) are important in protecting our (still) valuable arable lands. In Mexico, erosion reaches a much higher extent since climate and topography are affecting it much more. Various soil erosion models were used to evaluate the rate of soil loss. EUROSEM model was evaluated in Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Mexico (VEIHE et al. 2001). COTLER, ORTEGA-LARROCEA (2006) examined the effects of land use on soil erosion in a Mexican dry forest ecosystem. Eurosem model has been used in Hungary as well (BARTA et al. 2004). LAROSE et al. (2004) used the WEPP model in the Tuxtlas, Veracruz, Mexico and found that soil erodibility parameters, effective hydraulic conductivity, crop and management parameters have to be studied and modified because the model is very sensitive for these parameters. Examination of soil parameters are essential to educate farmers for better management practices in order to save nutrients, soils, money, time and to protect the environment (JORDAN et al. 2005). Soil and nutrient loss are calculated in erosion models all over the world (GOURNELLOS et al. 2004), especially in connection with arable cultivation. Material and methods Description of the Mexican sites The Sierra Gorda is part of the geological province of the Sierra Madre Oriental, composed of numerous marine Mesozoic formations deformed and folded during the Laramian orogeny. The Mesozoic rocks are almost 100% outcrops in the area. The erosion of these rocks has been shaped the region with physiographic and the morphological features that characterize it, and it is marked by the stark contrast between high peaks whose summits exceed the 3,000m of altitude and deep depressions where the main stream are at an altitude of 900m. In the region there is an array of Mesozoic marine formations, of Jurassic and Cretaceous types, as well as Cenozoic formations of the continental origin. In the Mesozoic marine formations outcrop both Jurassic and Cretaceous in the area and in the same manner, Cenozoic formations of continental origin. The former are by far the most abundant and they account for almost all of the outcrops. The stratigraphic relationship between both constitutes a significant angular discordance. The Mesozoic rocks form the structural framework of the Sierra Gorda. They represent very large, powerful and thick formations that extend for hundreds of kilometres with a SE NW orientation. The most important tectonic structures in the Sierra Gorda in general and the San Joaquin in particular, are large anticlinal and synclinal folds at regional scales that have a general NW SE orientation. Chromic Luvisols, Chromic Cambisols and Leptosols are the dominant soils in this rugged area. There exist a variety of climates: from wet-temperate (2000 to 3000m); semi-dry (1500 to 2000m) and sub-tropical (900 to 1500m). The particular area under study has a yearly rain average of 700mm. The natural vegetation embraces: temperate forest (pine, cedar, oak), dry-bush and sub-tropical bush. Crops/ fruits: maize, bean, apple tree, peach tree, avocado, mango. Situation of the examined sites are on Figure 1, Table 1. Figure 1. Situation of the Mexican sites on Google Earth Map 1. ábra. A mexikói mintaterületek elhelyezkedése a Google Earth térképen Table 1. Basic geographical parameters of the examined Mexican sites 1. táblázat. A mexikói területek alapvető földrajzi jellemzői 1 = Chromic Cambisol (FAO, 2006), 2 = Chromic Luvisol, 3 = Temporal agriculture (no irrigation), 4 = Temporal agriculture (no irrigation) & apple tree orchard. Particle size analyses followed the method of BOUYOUCUS (1936). Soil organic matter was measured by the method of WALKLEY (1947) (Table 2 and 3). The average yearly precipitation in the region is 700 mm. Table 2. Basic soil parameters for erosion modelling on the Mexican sites 2. táblázat. Alapvető talajtani paraméterek a mexikói területek eróziós modellezéséhez 1 = Chromic Cambisol (FAO, 2006), 2 = Chromic Luvisol.

3 Soil erosion modelling in a Hungarian Mexican context 133 Table 3. Input parameters for modeling with WEPP model on the Mexican sites 3. táblázat. Bemeneti paraméterek a WEPP modell használatához a mexikói területeken For soil erosion modelling we need to introduce the most important input parameters for the examined sites. Basic geomorphological parameters of the Hungarian sites In order to find the exact location of the Hungarian sites coordinates and altitude is given in Table 4. Slope length, slope angle and land use are important input parameters for soil erosion modeling, those are given in Table 4, too. Basic soil parameters of the Hungarian sites can be seen in Table 5. *at 96. min. Description of the Hungarian sites The Gerézdpuszta area Gerézdpuszta belongs to the Külső-Somogy hilly area, south of the World famous Balaton Lake. The hilly landscape was formed by the tectonic movements and loess formation. On the clay and sand sediment of the Pannonian Sea there were m fluvial sediment settled. Valley density reaches 8 10 per square km, plateaus between the valley are only m wide. Koppány Creek played an important role in soil formation. In the valley we find fluvial meadow soils. Parent material is glacial and fluvial sediment. Soil texture is mainly loamy with illite and smectite clay minerals. Hydrological properties are good, soil organic carbon content used to be t/ha with 100cm soil depth but it has undergone severe erosion (see the Gerézdpuszta site on Figure 2), soil organic content reduced dramatically. These soil characteristics are partly identical to the brown forest soils situated on the hillsides. Climatic conditions are changing; originally continental and Sub-Mediterranean climate was mixed; now we find it less continental and more Mediterranean. The average yearly precipitation is approximately 640mm. There are cold spots where temperature often falls 30 C below zero and maximum is above 35 C. Table 4. Basic geographical parameters of the examined Hungarian sites 4. táblázat. A vizsgált hazai területek alapvető földrajzi jellemzői G = Gerézdpuszta, ISA = Isaszeg, UTS = Upper Third of the Slope, MTS = Middle Third of the Slope, LTS = Lower Third of the Slope. Table 5. Basic soil parameters for erosion modeling on the Hungarian sites 5. táblázat. Alapvető talajtani paraméterek a hazai területek eróziós modellezéséhez G = Gerézdpuszta, ISA = Isaszeg, UTS = Upper Third of the Slope, MTS = Middle Third of the Slope, LTS = Lower Third of the Slope, SOM = Soil Organic Matter, CEC = Cation Exchange Capacity. WEPP and USLE models were used to predict soil loss and sediment yield (the later is only with the WEPP model) on the examined areas. Modelling with WEPP and USLE models on Hungarian and Mexican sites Figure 2. Situation of the Hungarian sites within Europe 2. ábra. A magyar területek elhelyezkedése Európában The well-known USLE (WISCHMEIER, SMITH 1978) and WEPP (FLANAGAN et al. 2007) models were used for the

4 134 CSABA CENTERI et al. analyses. The Water Erosion Prediction Project (WEPP) was started in Its purpose was to develop new-generation water erosion prediction technology, originally (as well as the USLE) for use in the USA. The WEPP model was developed by the USDA-ARS to replace empirically based erosion prediction technologies, such as USLE, RUSLE, MUSLE. The WEPP model simulates many of the formerly missing physical processes important in soil erosion (e.g. infiltration, runoff, raindrop and flow detachment, sediment transport, deposition, plant growth, and residue decomposition) as input parameters. The WEPP project is similar to USLE because it was constructed based on extensive field experimental program (on cropland, rangeland and disturbed forest sites). Sufficient amount of data was needed to parameterize and test the model. The model became functional with the cooperation of research locations, laboratories and universities. The WEPP model can be used on hill slopes and on smaller watersheds. The model can be used with Microsoft Windows operating system graphical interfaces, web-based interfaces, and integration with Geographic Information Systems since Watershed channel and impoundment components, Cligen weather generator, the daily water balance and evapotranspiration routines, and the prediction of subsurface lateral flow along low-permeability soil layers was developed and continuously improved (CHAVES, NEARING 1991, RISSE et al. 1994, FLANAGAN et al. 2007, DEER- ASCOUGH et al. 1995, GRISMER 2007, MOFFET et al. 2007, KIM et al. 2007, BONILLA et al. 2007). WEPP is widely used for soil loss calculations (PANDEY et al. 2008, SHEN et al. 2009, IRVEM et al. 2007, BAIGORRIA, ROMERO 2007). Results Results of modelling with WEPP model for the Mexican sites runoff rate were both higher than on site S 43 but there was no soil loss and sediment yield proposed by the model. On site S 19 and S 57 there were almost the same runoff volume and peak runoff rate calculated but the amount of soil loss was 5 times more in site S 57 than on site S 19. Another interesting result was that while on site S 19 both runoff volume and peak runoff rate were 3 to 5 times more than on site S 43, the amount of soil loss was bigger on site S 43, regardless of its shorter slope length. USLE did not calculate soil loss in that wide range as WEPP did and it had calculated a small amount of soil loss for site S 44 as well, while WEPP had not (Table 7.). Table 7. Results of soil erosion modelling with the USLE model on the Mexican sites 7. táblázat. Az USLE modellel történő elemzés eredményei a mexikói területeken R = rainfall erosivity, K = soil erodibility, LS = slope length and steepness, C = cover management factor, P = protection measures. Comparison of soil loss calculations and the differences between them can be seen in Table 8. USLE calculated more soil loss for sites S 19 and S 44 and less for sites S 43 and S 57. Table 8. Comparison of soil loss calculation with USLE and WEPP models for the Mexican sites 8. táblázat. Az USLE és a WEPP modellel történő elemzések összehasonlítása a mexikói területeken Modelling with WEPP resulted with varying runoff volumes and soil loss amounts. While runoff volumes varied from 10.3 to 55.22mm, soil loss varied from none to 0.234kg/m 2 (Table 6). On site S 44 runoff volume and peak Table 6. Results of soil erosion modeling with the WEPP model on the Mexican sites 6. táblázat. A WEPP modellel történő elemzések eredményei a mexikói területeken Results of modeling with WEPP and USLE models for the Hungarian sites Results for Gerézdpuszta sites *at 100m, **at 150m. The results of soil loss calculations for the Gerézdpuszta sites with USLE model can be found in Table 9. Soil loss values decrease dramatically from the upper to the lower slope thirds. The results of soil loss calculations with WEPP model (GELENCSÉR et al. 2010) can be found in Tables

5 Soil erosion modeling in a Hungarian Mexican context 135 Table 9. Input parameters and results of the simulation with the USLE model, Gerézdpuszta, Hungary 9. táblázat. Az USLE modell bemeneti paraméterei és az elemzés eredményei Gerézdpusztán *in this special case, since the calculation is for one rainfall event, this is erosivity index, C and P factors = 1. Table 10. Results of the simulation with the WEPP model for the upper slope third, Gerézdpuszta, Hungary 10. táblázat. A WEPP modellel történő elemzések eredményei a lejtő felső harmadán Gerézdpusztán Table 11. Results of the simulation with the WEPP model for the middle slope third, Gerézdpuszta, Hungary 11. táblázat. A WEPP modellel történő elemzések eredményei a lejtő középső harmadán Gerézdpusztán

6 136 CSABA CENTERI et al. Table 12. Results of the simulation with the WEPP model for the lower slope third, Gerézdpuszta, Hungary 12. táblázat. A WEPP modellel történő elemzések eredményei a lejtő alsó harmadán Gerézdpusztán Tables show that a not too big rainfall event, arriving on the area with bad timing (no surface cover) can cause 10 t ha 1 soil loss. Results for Isaszeg sites The results of soil loss calculations for the Isaszeg sites (DEMÉNY et al. 2010) with USLE model can be found in Table. 13. loss for the upper third No.1. and No 2 while WEPP calculates higher values for the middle slope section. Each model calculates almost no erosion for the lower slope third. The overall comparison of the Hungarian sites shows that WEPP dramatically overestimate soil loss compared to USLE at the Gerézdpuszta sites and at the middle and lower slope sections of the Isaszeg sites (Table 18). Table 13. Input parameters and results of the simulation with the USLE model, Isaszeg, Hungary 13. táblázat. Az USLE modell bemeneti paraméterei és az elemzés eredményei Isaszegen *in this special case, since the calculation is for one rainfall event, this is erosivity index, C and P factors = 1. The results of soil loss calculations with WEPP model can be found in Tables Comparing the results of USLE (Table 13) and WEPP (Tables 14 17) we can state that USLE calculates more soil USLE calculate less soil loss than WEPP at the upper slope thirds of the Isaszeg sites. Differences are explained by the high clay content and the low infiltration rate of the lower third of the slope at the Gerézdpuszta site.

7 Soil erosion modeling in a Hungarian Mexican context 137 Table 14. Results of the simulation with the WEPP model for the upper slope third No.1., Isaszeg, Hungary 14. táblázat. A WEPP modellel történő elemzések eredményei a lejtő felső harmadán (1) (ISA-UTS1) Table 15. Results of the simulation with the WEPP model for the upper slope third No.2., Isaszeg, Hungary 15. táblázat. A WEPP modellel történő elemzések eredményei a lejtő felső harmadán (2) (ISA-UTS2)

8 138 CSABA CENTERI et al. Table 16. Results of the simulation with the WEPP model for the middle slope third, Isaszeg, Hungary 16. táblázat. A WEPP modellel történő elemzések eredményei a lejtő középső harmadán Table 17. Results of the simulation with the WEPP model for the lower slope third, Isaszeg, Hungary 17. táblázat. A WEPP modellel történő elemzések eredményei a lejtő alsó harmadán

9 Soil erosion modeling in a Hungarian Mexican context 139 Table 18. Comparison of soil loss calculations with the USLE and WEPP models at the Gerézdpuszta and Isaszeg sites, Hungary 18. táblázat. Az USLE és a WEPP modellekkel történő talajveszteség-számítások összehasonlítása a gerézdpusztai és az isaszegi területeken Conclusions The empirical USLE model is known to generally overestimate soil loss in many parts of the world. In the presently tested cases on Mexican and Hungarian sites we can state that overestimation of USLE is not the only case and WEPP model tends to overestimate soil loss, too. In case of the Gerézdpuszta site the reason of overestimation at the third of the slope was found to be in the higher clay content of this slope portion but it is not always easy to find any obvious reason for differences in model outputs. 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